A wounded veteran who was born and raised in LA got a special gift Thursday, thanks to a well-known actor and humanitarian.
Cpl. Josue Barron was handed the keys to a new home in Temecula.
"The cabinets come down so I don't have to get up and reach all the way to the top," he said. "They come down to you."
It was all a part of an effort by the Gary Sinise Foundation. The actor's foundation helps disabled veterans by providing adaptable homes, like wider hallways so Barron can more easily move around in his wheelchair.
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"We build 100% mortgage free specially adapted smart homes for our nation's most severely wounded veterans and first responders through this program," said Elizabeth Fields, the COO for the Gary Sinise Foundation.
Barron is grateful. In 2010 Barron was on patrol in Afghanistan when he was wounded.
"Me and my engineer stepped on a pressure plate IED and I lost my left leg and my left eye," he said.
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But Barron, who was awarded the Purple Heart for his sacrifice, didn't lose hope, thanks to the support of his loving wife and family.
"It helped me and it saved me because I could have fallen into many things that a lot veterans fall into - depression, suicide or just getting addicted to drugs," he said.
It took three years for him to walk with an artificial limb. But he still uses a wheelchair when his leg hurts too much.
Now that he has a home that fits his needs he can focus on his goal of being a hand cyclist and representing our country in 2028, when the paralympics are held in LA.
"Not only would I be reaching the highest level, but I'll be performing in my hometown of LA," he said. "I think it just brings everything in full circle and it's what motivates me."
